Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba Foundation received a cheque for $5,000 from DuPont Pioneer Canada, Tuesday, to go towards the Chance 2 Grow program.

Justin Lavallee, a Pioneer sales representative, encouraged the donation through the Pioneer Community Investment Program, which makes contributions to community organization on behalf of employees in the communities where they live to help improve citizens quality of life.

The funds from DuPont Pioneer will go towards the Chance 2 Grow program, which provides financial assistance to families to help their children with recreational and educational opportunities for their children.

“We are thrilled with the support from DuPont Pioneer Canada for our Chance 2 Grow program, and we want to particularly thank Justin Lavallee for his interest in and support for Chance 2 Grow,” said Foundation administrator Jody Fletcher in a press release.

“Justin has made a significant personal donation to Chance 2 Grow as well as partnering with us in our application to the Pioneer Community Investment Program. We are proud to associate our program with DuPont Pioneer Canada and look forward to our partnership with them as we work toward enriching the lives of the children we serve.”

As well, the Foundation announced the creation of a Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba Foundation Fund, Tuesday, with the help of the Community Foundation of Portage and District (CFPD).

A cheque for $179,000 was presented to CFPD Chair Barney Christianson and executive director Karen Braden by CFS Foundation board member Beth Connery to establish the CFPD’s first Agency Endowment Fund.

“The arrangement for the CFS Foundation to deposit its funds permanently with the Community Foundation is a step designed to provide the best return both foundations can get from that money invested,” said CFPD chair Barney Christianson.

The initial donation to the CFPD is $179,000 and as investments come due over the next four years, the Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba Foundation Inc. will be investing $400,000. The income from the Fund will go to CFSCM Foundation for programs, which Christianson said the CFPD is happy to be involved in.

“The programs that Jody Fletcher and the rest of the people involved with the CFS Foundation have been running have been absolutely astoundingly successful,” said Christianson. “If you get the opportunity to talk to Jody about the stories of the people who have benefitted and the people who have been able to those special projects it is really simply heartwarming.”